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McGill in The Community

1933

Father of the blood bank

After developing a safe and highly sterile system for preserving large quantities of blood plasma, Charles Drew put his techniques to the test as the medical supervisor for the Blood for Britain campaign during the Second World War, overseeing a fleet of refrigerated "bloodmobiles" that delivered plasma to wounded soldiers and civilians as Nazi warplanes rained bombs throughout England. Following the war, the Red Cross tapped Drew to lead its budding blood donor program.

General History: Explore the significant events and people who have shaped McGill into the university it is today.
Built Environment: Discover stories behind the rich architecture of McGill’s buildings, some of which are amongst Montreal’s oldest.
Impact: Uncover events and discoveries representing some of McGill’s greatest contributions to the world.
Changing Faces: Delve into the stories of people who have paved the way for so many in the evolution of the University’s diversity.
McGill in the Community: Learn about McGillians’ direct influence in Montreal and in Quebec.

200 years of

Father of the blood bank

McGill’s 200-year history is made of thousands of stories, events, and experiences. This timeline can present only a fraction of these stories, highlighted under the following themes:

If you have any questions or comments about the timeline, please contact us.